No. 19 Peter Theil

Peter Thiel is an American entrepreneur, venture capitalist, and author who is known for co-founding PayPal and investing in several other successful startups, including Facebook and Airbnb. Born in Germany in 1967, Thiel moved to the United States as a child and attended Stanford University, where he earned degrees in philosophy and law. After co-founding PayPal in 1998, Thiel went on to become a successful venture capitalist, investing in a number of technology startups that have since become major players in the industry. He is also the founder of several other companies, including Palantir Technologies, a data analytics company that works with governments and other organizations, and Founders Fund, a venture capital firm that has invested in several high-profile startups. In addition to his work as an entrepreneur and investor, Thiel is also a controversial figure who has been involved in several high-profile legal disputes and political controversies. He has been a vocal critic of Silicon Valley culture and has argued that the tech industry is too focused on short-term gains at the expense of long-term innovation. Thiel has also been involved in politics, and was a prominent supporter of Donald Trump's 2016 presidential campaign. He has been criticized for his views on issues such as immigration and free speech, but remains a powerful and influential figure in the technology industry and beyond.